Report by Noel Avis

Paulton overcame Bridgwater Utd, the latest visitors to Winterfield Road, in some style. This was, proverbially, a game of two very different halves.

From the kick off, Bridgwater settled more quickly and were threatening, particularly on the left, and Dan Jackson in the Paulton goal was forced into an early save. But Paulton’s defenders under captain Jack Dancey, are well organised, strong and confident. Jack Farion’s vision, Dan Dyke’s tackling and Josh Ford’s command in the air make them a formidable rearguard.

A free kick taken by the excellent Dan McBeam led to a bout of pin ball in the Utd penalty area. Shots rained down on Liam Kingston in the Bridgwater goal but were repeatedly blocked. Eventually clearing their lines, the Utd forwards raced away and Jackson made a fantastic flying save to prevent Bridgwater taking the lead.

After 19 minutes, in another Rovers attack, Paulton defender Josh Ford was upended in the Bridgwater penalty area. Dan McBeam gave Kingston no chance as he struck a firm penalty to the goalie’s left to put Rovers one up. Chances were then created at both ends. McBeam went close again following terrific work in midfield by Sam Hill, while Finn Koppa, tricky winger Obamwonyi and playmaker Liam Winter kept Jackson busy between the posts for Rovers.

Jack Farion and Kitan Jaiyeoba combined well on the right, creating a chance for Hill which flew over the bar, while Jackson again saved brilliantly from Koppa. Bridgwater forward Jack Taylor then crashed unnecessarily and late into the Paulton keeper which led to a two-minute stoppage. Kingston then saved well from Kye Simpson as the first half ended with the game seemingly well balanced.

After just two minutes of the second half, McBeam passed forward to Simpson who shot confidently past the Utd goalie to extent Rovers’ lead. Just a minute later, Paulton were three up and cruising as Hill’s great interception and Simpson’s cross allowed Kitan to side-foot past Kingston.

Bridgwater were now in some disarray as relentless Paulton pressure resulted in a visiting defender nearly putting through his own net. Will Osborne, calm and elegant in midfield, began to take some control. His cultured play will be missed. In the 59th minute, Will Hailston steadied a loose ball and from 25 yards, fired an unstoppable shot beyond the startled Kingston to score Paulton’s fourth. It was a brilliant strike.

Rovers were now completely dominant and Bridgwater’s Hayden Chambers was booked for a poor challenge on Dancey. In the 71st minute Paulton substitutes Corey Rawlings and Milo Murgatroyd combined beautifully for Murgatroyd to find the net to make the score 5-0.

Murgatroyd, a talented and skilful forward, then showed amazing trickery and ball control to outwit several Utd defenders on the left before finding the net with a fantastic finish to score Paulton’s sixth. Substitute Leo Eglin, confident in possession, nearly got in on the act as he showed great skill in controlling the ball, turning and firing a shot just past the post.

McBeam, fed by Murgatroyd, rubbed more salt into the wound as he cut in from the left before beating a shellshocked Kingston to add an unlikely seventh goal for Paulton.

Rovers understandably took their foot off the gas and Bridgwater, to their credit, took full advantage as first Chambers and then Jamie Price scored late goals to restore an element of pride for the visitors. But it was scant consolation as Bridgwater had been blown away by an excellent second half performance by Paulton.

The Paulton faithful skipped home to witness another England bore draw….

Man of the match: Dan McBeam – skilful, incisive and forward-thinking football. However, this was an excellent overall team performance – everybody played well, and the whole squad should be congratulated!

Next matches: Tuesday 10th September Street (home) League 7.30pm KO
Saturday 14th September Buckland Athletic (away) League 3.00pm KO